Friends invited me to stay with them while Juan is away. Last night I went to their home where I enjoyed a five course veggie meal and some Netflix. I fell asleep – in my clothes – well before midnight.

The early part of my day was non-stop errands. Now that there’s a but of a lull I’m doing some laundry, and planning an all about me Sunday.

Right now I’m thinking brunch with the ladies, an afternoon at Spiders Alive, and some major photostrolling.

I’ve spoken to Juan at least there times already. He’s having a great time with the kids. Last night they did something called Candlepin Bowling When last we spoke he was having some quality time with the son-law.

Just tossed the clothes in the dryer. Time to cruise Theatermania and Goldstar for discount tickets.

Til later.

Remember back when you were a kid, and you were wearing what all the other kids were wearing?

And do you remember those old ladies who always had something to say about it?

Most of the time you didn’t even know them.

They probably weren’t old really. Maybe just in their late forties early fifties You were so young even 30 seemed ancient.

So anyway there I was at a cellphone store, when a teen-age girl and her significant other came in. She was wearing the cutest little leggings with matching hoodie and tee top. I think the designer is Ed Hardy; the design was bold, bright and tattoo-like.

I was complimenting her on her outfit, when the young man said; “Ask her what the cute little suit cost.”

$380!

I struggled to keep my balance.
Immediately I had visions of the ubercool outfit I could purchase on Macys 7th floor for that kind of cash. And there would be enough leftover for a new shoes too.

A couple of ladies of my generation overheard the conversation, and well you know what happened next.

My first car didn’t cost that much.

Can you imagine 380 bucks for a jogging suit.

I could buy an outfit, shoes and the bag.”

I could do all that and dinner!

The kids just stood there listening to us going on.

But soon enough they’ll be doing the same thing.

Til later my fears.

So where’s a big city gal going on Saturday night? KMart. You all must be thinking I’m getting paid by the big red I, because this must be my third trip in two weeks. Nope no cashola. It’s just my go to place for all the little things a girl and her home need.

It was raining like crazy just three hours ago. New York was a puddle. But now the skies are quite friendly, and with my laundry done, I figured why not make a quick trip.downtown. I need a new hairdryer, a.couple extra tee tops, and a new backpack. Like I said little things.

The train is standing room only, but not an umbrella in sight. I don’t have one either. We New Yorkers are fearless that way.

I spoke with Josie tonight, whose quite happy to be taking custody of her Dad for a while. She’s already got the fridge filled with healthy food for him.

It’s been an intense exactly six months since everything happened. But he’s come through it like a champion. He’s healthier now than he has been in years. Tuesday the 31st will be his first real day of retirement. He’s so happy, so looking forward to it all.

As for yours truly, well I put a couple three projects aside when all this happened, so I’m going to go pick them all up.

Thank you all for your support.
I love you all each and every one.

One of my favorite views from the 7 train. Hope it’s not blurry.- everything looks good on the phone’s screen.

Oh, and here’s a photo I took last night in front of the Buccaneer Diner. He loves to sit outside the place and take photos. The fact that he does it in his pjs just makes it so New York.  His Mom just turned 99.

People who smile and/or giggle when you tell them bad news.

I’ve been told it’s a sign of nervousness. I know they are not really laughing at me. I wish I could be more understanding, but it drives me freakin’ crazy. 

When I managed my Dad’s grocery store back in my 20′s, we had a cashier named Hyacinth, who giggled out loud whenever she heard bad news. The worse the news the more she giggled.

Seriously, if you went up to her and told her someone set fire to an orphanage on Christmas Eve, she would have wet her pants from the giggles.

Needless to say, I had to get between her and more than one irate customer who wanted to knock her teeth out.

A long-time friend – male – also has the same problem. It’s caused him some problems over the years.

So what brought on this post?

I was in a building where the only elevator was out of order.  There I was with two heavy shopping bags, my always overstuffed handbag, and my own personal poundage. I was standing there looking hopefully at the buttons, desperately waiting for a sign of electrical life, when a woman about 30 or so joined me.  When I told her the elevator was not working she smiled nervously and giggled.

I’m wondering how much tooth enamel I lost from gritting my teeth.

Feel free to tell about your pet peeves in comments.

I started the day by finishing Nora Wouldn’t “I Feel Bad About My Neck”. 

If any of you have read it I would love to hear from you. The link in the preceding paragraph is to a list of discussion questions I found online.  
One asks what unusual item do you carry in your bag, and how often you change it.

This afternoon I cleaned out my bag and found: an Eiffel Tower keychain that a friend brought me from France, a small silver lucky hand from Israel, a black button that belongs to slacks I no longer own, a bazillion business cards, cherry Chapstick, several pens, a Moleskine notebook, digital camera, my phones, a purple comb, and ten Keyboards each with A.D.$1.70 on them (long story). There was also quite a bit of junk mail – there always is.

I threw out all the cards, junk mail and receipts I didn’t need. And kept the button to the pants I don’t have anymore. I always keep the button.

As for how often I change my bag – there’s there new ones in the closer.  Really nice ones. The one I’m using has a few cracks in the handle, but it’s broken in just right. Know what I mean?

After dealing with the bag I got deep into Dracula till about 9:30 am, then I took to the streets of New York. I dropped Juan off at church, and headed down to 34th Street. I dropped off mail at the Main Post Office, shopped at the big red K, and got Juan’s ticket at Penn Station. Eerything was done just in time to pick up the hubster, and treat him to lunch at Applebee’s. He enjoyed every morsel of his first steak dinner since February.  Mind you it was just 7 ounces of beef – no more 18 ouncers!

After all of that the rest of the day was spent reading more Dracula in between various projects, chores and other randomness.

The course starts tomorrow, so I am going to go re-read all the particulars over at Coursera.

Til later.

Above ground subway at 125th Street